Keeping a sound roof over the heads of area students is an issue growing ever more pressing. Two major projects have been recommended by the Facilities Committee at the Morris Area School District . One is an “opportunity,” according to Superintendent Scott Monson; the other is a need. The need is a roof. Monson says the current roof, a 13-15 year roof, was installed in 1991. Now, that roof is living far beyond its life-expectancy. The roof has no major faults, but the school has been dealing with spring leaks and rain issues for several years. In fact, the school board has been talking about a new roof for the last several years. Now is the time to get bids and get something in place, Monson says, and the school board agrees. The board unanimously voted to allow Monson to start the process of seeking bids at Tuesday night’s meeting.

The “opportunity” is for “re-commissioning” the building–that is, to make the buildings more energy efficient. The board plans to seek bids for various projects that could reduce energy costs. Monson thinks the school could make that money back. The costs for assessing and re-commissioning the building would be “ballpark, $50,000 per building with cost recuperation of 3 to 4 to 5 years,” says Monson. The school board authorized Monson to seek Requests for Bids (RFB) and Monson and the Facilities Committee will report back to the school board on the RFB’s.

In other business, the board heard presentations from the Special Education Cooperative and reviewed the budget for the upcoming school year.